So that Birkin, which cost just $4,000 in the Sex and the City heyday (circa 2001), will officially be out of your league by next month. The purveyors of the eternal “It Bag” confirmed to Businessweek that the price hike is a consequence of increased raw material costs, specifically silk, cashmere, and crocodile skin.

Crocodile skin? Crocodile tears — as if the price tag of an Hermès bag weren’t already hefty enough! Sam Jones’ once-$4,000 Birkin, currently estimated at $17,000, will cost $18,530 by the end of this month.

If you’re lusting after some Hermès arm candy, get over to Portero and snag a second-hand (read: used) Birkin for the low, low rate of just $10,000!